Do not fear "contamination"
Decrying the fact that in the world today, so many of our brothers and sisters suffer marginalization...
and exclusion because of social stigmas, the Pope invited the faithful to break these barriers and get involved with their lives.
He said Jesus tells us that God “is not an idea or an abstract doctrine but the One who contaminates Himself with our human woundedness and is not afraid to come into contact with our wounds." The Pope urged Christians to go beyond selfishness, calculations or fears that prevent them from getting involved with the sufferings of others.
Instead, he said, let us ask the Lord for the grace to find the courage to emerge from our isolation and self-commiseration, and open our hearts to "a love that goes beyond conventions, that overcomes prejudices and the fear of getting involved with the lives of others."
Pope Francis concluded, "Let us learn to be 'transgressors' like these two: like the leper, and like Jesus."